Monthly Archives: November 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET IN THE LAKE COUNTY AREA THAT WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM TOMORROW MORNING.

A WIND ADVISORY FOR LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL ALSO GO INTO EFFECT AT 9 AM THIS MORNING. WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MILES AN HOUR POSSIBLE OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN AND THROUGH PASSES AND CANYONS. MOTORISTS IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE DRIVING. HOME OWNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SECURE LOOSE PROPERTY.

FATAL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING JUSTIFIED JKB 11/30/11

AN INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES AND A CHP OFFICER WERE JUSTIFIED IN THEIR USE OF DEADLY FORCE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A SANTA ROSA MAN LAST YEAR.

24 YEAR OLD NICODEMUS SULLIVAN HAD VIOLATED A RESTRAINING ORDER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS THREATENING TO KILL HIS STEPFATHER WHEN POLICE ARRIVED AT THE HOME ON OCTOBER 29TH 2010. SULLIVAN, WHO WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE, WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLEE THE HOME IN HIS VEHICLE AND RAMMED TWO PATROL CARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HIT DEPUTIES. FIVE OFFICERS OPENED FIRE AND SULLIVAN DIED AT THE SCENE. THE SANTA ROSA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE OFFICERS USE OF DEADLY FORCE WAS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE THREAT SULLIVAN POSED TO THEIR SAFETY.

HIGH SPEED CHASE JKB 11/30/11

A HIGH SPEED CHASE ENDED WHEN THE SUSPECT CRASHED THE CAR NEAR LAKEPORT LATE LAST NIGHT.

VERY FEW DETAILS ABOUT THE INCIDENT ARE AVAILABLE THIS MORNING. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT AROUND 11:20 PM LAST NIGHT WHEN OFFICERS TRIED TO PULL OVER A SUSPECTED STOLEN CAR. THE DRIVER FLED AND SPEEDS OF UP TO 120 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE CRASHING NEAR HILL ROAD AND PARKWAY, CLOSE TO THE LAKEPORT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT STATION 52. THE DRIVER, WHOS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL. NO OTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.

MOTORCYCLE VS. CAR JKB 11/30/11

TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN A UKIAH WOMAN PULLED OUT FROM HER DRIVEWAY DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF A MOTORCYCLIST ON EASTSIDE CALPELLA ROAD MONDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 21 YEAR OLD TIFFANY KAPLAN PULLED IN FRONT OF 20 YEAR OLD THEODORE LORENZ AT AROUND 1:40 PM. LORENZ BROAD SIDED KAPLANS VEHICLE AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE BIKE. BOTH LORENZ AND KAPLAN SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AND WERE TAKE TO THE UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT. ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ARE NOT BELIEVED TO BE FACTORS IN THE CRASH.

MEMORIAL FUND FOR FIRE SURVIVORS JKB 11/30/11

A MEMORIAL FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR A CLEARLAKE MOTHER AND SON WHO SURVIVED A MOTOR HOME FIRE THAT KILLED ONE OF HER CHILDREN AND HER FIANCÉE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY LAST WEEK.

THE FAMILY WAS VACATIONING IN THEIR NEWLY PURCHASED USED MOTOR HOME NEAR TRINIDAD WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THEY WERE SLEEPING NOVEMBER 20TH. 43 YEAR OLD MICHELLE CRISTER AND 4 YEAR OLD DAVID CRISTER WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE, WITH DAVID SUFFERING SEVERE BURNS. 55 YEAR OLD JAMES GERACE JR AND 14 YEAR OLD DANIEL CRISTER DIED IN THE BLAZE, WHICH HAS BEEN RULED AS ACCIDENTAL. FRIENDS AND RELATIVES HAVE CREATED THE CRISTER-GERACE MEMORIAL FUND TO HELP MICHELE WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES. DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE FUND AT ANY WESTAMERICA BANK BRANCH IN LAKE COUNTY.

NO CHARGES FILED IN SHERIFFS BLOCKAGE OF BIKERS JKB 11/30/11

THE LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAYS WHILE NOTHING CRIMINAL HAPPENED, THE STEPS SHERIFF FRANK RIVERO TOOK TO KEEP HELLS ANGELS OUT OF THE COUNTY MAY 14TH WAS A VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

RIVERO ORDERED A BLOCKADE AT THE COUNTY BOARDER ON HIGHWAY 29 TO KEEP A REPORTED 150 MEMBERS OF THE OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OUT OF THE COUNTY AFTER RECEIVING ERRONEOUS INFORMATION THEY WERE COMING TO LAKEPORT FOR A CONFRONTATION WITH RIVAL MOTORCYCLE GANG THE VAGOS, WHO WERE IN TOWN HOLDING A LARGE GATHERING. ONLY THREE HELLS ANGELS WERE LOCATED AND STOPPED. DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON ANDERSON SAYS WHILE SHERIFF RIVEROS ACTIONS WERE WELL INTENTIONED, THEY WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. RIVERO HAS DEFENDED THE ACTION IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

TAX FOR AQUATIC CENTER SOUGHT JKB 11/30/11

THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL WILL ASK VOTERS TO APPROVE A HALF CENT SALES TAX INCREASE NEXT MARCH TO HELP FUND THE FINANCIALLY TROUBLED C.V STARR AQUATIC CENTER.

THE COUNCIL VOTED TO PUT THE TAX MEASURE ON THE BALLOT MONDAY, AND IS CONTINGENT ON THE CITY TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE $24 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY, WHICH IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE MENDOCINO COAST RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT. THE STATE OF THE ART AQUATIC CENTER HAS BEEN LOSING MONEY SINCE IT OPENED IN 2009. IF APPROVED, FORT BRAGGS SALES TAX NEXT YEAR, INCLUDING A 1/8 CENT SALES TAX INCREASE APPROVED TO FUND COUNTY LIBRARIES WOULD BE 8.375%.

MEETING FOR COURT HOUSE EIR TONIGHT JKB 11/30/11

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO A MEETING THAT WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT THAT IS BEING PREPARED FOR TWO PROPOSED SITES FOR THE MENDOCINO COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN UKIAH TONIGHT.

BOTH PROPOSED SITES, THE LIBRARY SITE AND THE RAILROAD DEPOT SITE, WILL BE COVERED IN THE DRAFT EIR. THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 6 PM AT THE UKIAH CITY HALL.

A FINELY WOMAN INVOLVED IN A SOLO VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 29 IN KELSEYVILLE LAST WEEK, HAS DIED.

70 YEAR OLD ROSETTA FORREST WAS AIDED MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER MOTORISTS AFTER THE CRASH THAT OCCURRED TUESDAY MORNING. SHE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE JOHN MUIR MEDICAL CENTER IN WALNUT CREEK, WHERE SHE DIED OF HER INJURIES. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH IS CONTINUING.

FATAL ID JKB 11/29/11

A MAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 29 LATE SUNDAY NIGHT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 34 YEAR OLD ISAIAH NEIL OF LOCH LOMOND.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, NEIL WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND JUST NORTH OF HIGHWAY 175 WHEN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HE ALLOWED HIS CAR TO DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC WHERE HE COLLIDED WITH AN SUV BEING DRIVEN BY 26 YEAR OLD JARRET PARMENTER OF KELSEYVILLE. NEIL WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND DIED AT THE SCENE. PARMENTER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. NO WORD YET ON HIS CONDITION. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

PLEA IN BROTHERS SHOOTING DEATH JKB 11/29/11

A CLEARLAKE OAKS MAN WILL SERVE 11 YEARS IN PRISON AFTER REACHING A PLEA DEAL IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS BROTHER THAT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OF 2009.

26 YEAR OLD ALBERTO MONTES WAS SET TO BE TRIED FOR MURDER IN JANUARY. UNDER AN AGREEMENT STRUCK THREE WEEKS AGO, MONTES PLEADED GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, AGREEING TO SERVE THE UPPER LIMIT FOR THE CRIME. MONTES WILL BE FORMALLY SENTENCED DECEMBER 6TH.

AUTOPSY RELEASED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING JKB 11/29/11

AN AUTOPSY HAS REVEALED THAT ALL THREE SHOTS FIRED BY A SEBASTOPOL POLICE OFFICER RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL, STRUCK THE SUSPECT, WITH AT LEAST ONE STRIKING THE TORSO, CAUSING THE FATAL WOUND.

OFFICER DENNIS COLTHURST, A 31 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FORCE, FIRED THE SHOTS FROM A DISTANCE OF 10 TO 15 FEET AFTER 25 YEAR OLD PABLO PEREZ RAMIREZ REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS TO DROP THE GUN AND BRANDISHED THE WEAPON AT THE OFFICER THANKSGIVING DAY. OFFICER COLTHURST HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF AN INVESTIGATION.

MOTEL BURGLARY JKB 11/29/11

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER STEALING A WOMANS PURSE FROM A MOTEL EMPLOYEES LAUNDRY ROOM SUNDAY MORNING.

SEVERAL WITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT WERE ABLE TO GIVE POLICE A DESCRIPTION OF THE MAN WHO WALKED IN AND SNATCHED THE PURSE AT AROUND 11:15 AM AND 66 YEAR OLD LESTER MAYHEW WAS ARRESTED A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE SUPER 8 MOTEL WHERE THE THEFT OCCURRED. ALL OF THE VICTIMS PROPERTY, PURSE AND CASH WERE RECOVERED.

STORAGE UNIT EXPLOSIVES STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION JKB 11/29/11

LAKE COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE DISCOVERY OF MORE THAN 2 AND A HALF POUNDS OF C4 AND ANOTHER TYPE OF PUTTY EXPLOSIVE IN A STORAGE UNIT IN CLEARLAKE ON SUNDAY.

TWO PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED THE STORAGE UNIT AT AUCTION REPORTED FINDING THE EXPLOSIVES TO POLICE. AUTHORITIES EVACUATED THE NEARBY ADAGIO APARTMENT COMPLEX, AND A BOMB SQUAD FROM ALAMEDA COUNTY WAS CALLED IN TO REMOVE AND DETONATE THE EXPLOSIVES. THE FORMER OWNER OF THE STORAGE UNIT, 62 YEAR OLD VICTOR KEE OF CLEARLAKE WAS ARRESTED MONDAY FOR FELONY RECKLESS POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE EXPLOSIVES WERE OBTAINED FROM A KNOWN OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANG. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE IS CONTINUING.

CRAB FISHING BEGINS JKB 11/29/11

NORTH BAY CRAB FISHERMEN FINALLY BEGAN FISHING ON MONDAY AFTER REACHING A SETTLEMENT WITH PROCESSORS ON PRICE.

THE AGREEMENT ENDED A TWO WEEK STALEMATE THAT MEANT THERE WAS NO FRESH CRAB AVAILABLE FOR THANKSGIVING. FISHERMEN WERE ASKING FOR $2.50 A POUND, WHILE PROCESSORS WERE OFFERING $2.00. THEY AGREED ON MONDAY TO A PRICE OF $2.25 A POUND. FRESH CRAB COULD BE SEEN IN LOCAL MARKETS BY AS EARLY AS TODAY. THE SEASON OFF THE MENDOCINO COAST WILL OPEN DECEMBER 15TH.

BURNING MAN LOTTERY BEGINS JKB 11/29/11

THE NEW LOTTERY STYLE TICKET SYSTEM FOR THE BURNING MAN FESTIVAL NEXT AUGUST DEBUTED YESTERDAY.

REGISTRATION IN THE FIRST LOTTERY FOR 3000 PRESALE TICKETS AT A COST OF $420 EACH, BEGAN YESTERDAY AND WILL CLOSE DECEMBER 11TH. WINNERS IN THAT LOTTERY WILL BE NOTIFIED BY DECEMBER 19TH. REGISTRATION FOR ANOTHER 40,000 TICKETS RANGING IN PRICE FROM $240 TO $390 WILL OPEN JANUARY 9TH AND END JANUARY 22ND. ANOTHER 10,000 TICKETS AT A COST OF $390 A PIECE WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS IN MARCH, WHILE A REMAINING 3,500 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD FOR $160 EACH TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS UNDER A LOW INCOME SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. ORGANIZERS DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT THE LOTTERY STYLE TICKET SALES AFTER THE FESTIVAL SOLD OUT FOR THE FIRST IN THE EVENTS 26 YEAR HISTORY THIS YEAR.

A MAN WHO WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY A SEBASTOPOL POLICE OFFICER THANKSGIVING DAY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 25 YEAR OLD PABLO PEREZ RAMIREZ OF PETALUMA.

PEREZ WAS REPORTEDLY UPSET OVER A RECENT BREAKUP WITH HIS 20 YEAR OLD GIRLFRIEND. POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HOME OF THE GIRLS GRANDMOTHER ON A REPORT THAT PEREZ WAS POUNDING ON THE BACK DOOR. THE FIRST OFFICER TO ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, IDENTIFIED AS 60 YEAR OLD DENNIS COLTHURST, A 31 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FORCE, ENCOUNTERED RAMIREZ ARMED WITH A LOADED HANDGUN AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. RAMIREZ REFUSED ORDERS TO DROP THE GUN AND WAS FIRED UPON WHEN HE BRANDISHED THE WEAPON AT THE OFFICER. HE DIED AT THE SCENE. OFFICER COLTHURST HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF AN INVESTIGATION.

FATAL ACCIDENT JKB 11/28/11

ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 29 NEAR KELSEYVILLE LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

THE CRASH OCCURRED AT AROUND 11 PM JUST SOUTH OF BOTTLE ROCK ROAD. VERY FEW DETAILS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT WERE AVAILABLE. ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS ON FIRE WHEN RESCUE PERSONNEL ARRIVED. ONE PERSON REPORTEDLY DIED AT THE SCENE, WHILE THE OTHER WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE WHEN MEDICAL HELICOPTERS DECLINED TO RESPOND DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS. THE ROADWAY WAS OPEN TO ONE WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT AROUND 12:15 AM THIS MORNING AND WAS COMPLETELY CLEARED BY 1 AM. THE NAMES OF THE CRASH VICTIMS OR THE DETAILS REGARDING THE ACCIDENT HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

EXPLOSIVES FOUND IN CLEARLAKE STORAGE UNIT JKB 11/28/11

ALTHOUGH DETAILS ARE SKETCHY, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE DISCOVERY OF DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVES AT A STORAGE UNIT ON OLYMPIC DRIVE IN CLEARLAKE LED TO THE EVACUATION OF A NEARBY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND REQUIRED THE SERVICES OF THE BOMB SQUAD LATE SUNDAY.

REPORTS INDICATED THAT C-4 WAS FOUND IN ONE OF THE UNITS AT OLYMPIC STORAGE LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE ADAGIO APARTMENTS NEXT DOOR WERE EVACUATED AND THE BOMB SQUAD WAS CALLED INTO REMOVE AND DETONATE THE EXPLOSIVE, WHICH OCCURRED AT AROUND 9:30 PM. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. NO OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE INCIDENT HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

UNDER ROADWAY LANDSLIDE IMPACTS 101 JKB 11/28/11

A LANDSLIDE THAT HAS SLID UNDER THE ROADWAY INSTEAD OF OVER IT HAS CLOSED THE SLOW LANE OF NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 NEAR FROG WOMAN ROCK AND THE KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE SOUTH OF HOPLAND.

HEAVY RAINS EARLIER THIS YEAR CAUSED THE SLIDE THAT IS PUSHING UP THE ROADWAY. CALTRANS OFFICIALS SAY REPAIRS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE ANYTIME SOON UNLESS THE SITUATION BECOMES WORSE AND CAUSES THE CLOSURE OF THE NUMBER 2 LANE AS WELL. CURRENTLY TRAFFIC HAS BEEN REDUCED TO ONE NORTHBOUND LANE AND TWO SOUTHBOUND LANES.

DISMISSAL OF MURDER CHARGES SOUGHT JKB 11/28/11

THE ATTORNEY FOR A HUMBOLDT COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF HER INFANT SON WHO WAS FED METHAMPHETAMINE LACED BREAST MILK, IS SEEKING THE DISMISSAL OF THE MURDER CHARGE IN THE CASE.

A JUDGE IN JULY DETERMINED THERE WAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO TRY 26 YEAR OLD MAGGIE WORTMAN ON CHARGES OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF 6 WEEK OD MICHAEL ACOSTA THE THIRD, WHO DIED OF METHAMPHETAMINE TOXICITY AFTER DRINKING THE TAINTED BREAST MILK NOVEMBER 21ST OF LAST YEAR. PROSECUTORS RE-FILED THE CASE WITH A MURDER CHARGE ALLEGING WORTMANS INTENTIONALLY RECKLESS ACTIONS EQUATED TO IMPLIED MALICE, TANTAMOUNT TO MURDER. WORTMANS ATTORNEY FILED A MOTION EARLIER THIS MONTH TO DISMISS THE CHARGE, SAYING THE FACTS OF THE CASE DO NOT SUPPORT THE CHARGE. A JUDGE IS CONSIDERING BOTH ARGUMENTS THIS WEEK. A TRIAL DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN SET.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA INITIATIVE SEEKS SIGNATURES JKB 11/28/11

TWO MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCACY GROUPS IN LAKE COUNTY WILL BEGIN COLLECTING SIGNATURES THIS WEEK FOR A NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION ORDINANCE THEY HOPE TO PUT BEFORE COUNTY VOTERS.

THE LAKE COUNTY CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE REGULATIONS AND THE LAKE COUNTY GREEN FARMERS ASSOCIATION HAVE SUBMITTED AN INITIATIVE PROPOSAL TO REPLACE AND REPEAL AN ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN OCTOBER. THE ADVOCATES WANT THE VOTERS TO DECIDE WHAT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND HAVE DRAFTED A NEW ORDINANCE. THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 22ND TO GATHER A MINIMUM OF 2,115 SIGNATURES FROM REGISTERED LAKE COUNTY VOTERS. IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, THE SUPERVISORS WILL THEN DECIDE WEATHER TO PUT THE ISSUE BEFORE VOTERS, OR ADOPT THE NEW ORDINANCE AS IT IS WRITTEN, WITHOUT ANY CHANGES.

UKIAH CASINO PROJECT SCALED DOWN JKB 11/28/11

THE PINOLEVILLE BAND OF POMO INDIANS HAS REPORTEDLY SCALED BACK A CASINO PLANNED FOR NORTH UKIAH.

ACCORDING TO THE UKIAH VALLEY SANITATION DISTRICT, THE ORIGINAL PROJECT FOR A 90,000 SQUARE FOOT CASINO, AND A 72,100 SQUARE FOOT HOTEL WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AT LEAST 134 EQUIVALENT SEWER SERVICE UNITS OR ESSUS, AND A LETTER STATING THE SANITATION DISTRICT WOULD MAKE THOSE AVAILABLE WAS ISSUED LAST YEAR. TRIBAL LEADERS THIS YEAR HAVE REQUESTED A SIMILAR LETTER, AND BASED ON VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS, THE REVISED SIZE OF THE PROJECT WILL NOW ONLY REQUIRE AN ESTIMATED 45 ESSU CONNECTIONS. THE CASINO PROJECT IS STILL IN THE DESIGN PHASE, AND COULD TAKE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE INVESTIGATION INTO A SUSPICIOUS SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED IN THE BROOKTRAILS AREA OF WILLITS INDICATES THE VICTIM MAY HAVE BEEN SHOT BY HIS OWN SON.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, A WITNESS TO THE SHOOTING MET THE VICTIM AT A LOCAL WILLITS BAR NOVEMBER 17TH. HE WAS REPORTEDLY BRAGGING ABOUT A MARIJUANA GROWING OPERATION HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THAT HAD NETTED HIM SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PROFITS. THE WITNESS LATER ACCOMPANIED THE VICTIM TO A WOODEN CABIN ON A RURAL PIECE OF PROPERTY ON SHERWOOD ROAD WHERE THE VICTIM GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH TWO ADULT MALES BELIEVED TO BE THE VICTIMS 21 AND 24 YEAR OLD SONS OVER THE PRESENCE OF THE WITNESS BEING BROUGHT TO THE LOCATION. A SHORT WHILE LATER, ONE OF THE MEN SHOT THE VICTIM IN THE LEGS WITH A SHOTGUN INFLICTING NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND THE VICTIM AND WITNESS FLED. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE THE NEXT DAY THEY FOUND 352 GROWING MARIJUANA PLANTS AND 208 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA MOSTLY PACKAGED IN 1 POUND BAGS. THE SHOOTING VICTIM, A KANSAS MAN WITH TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN WILLITS WAS TREATED AT HOWARD HOSPITAL. HE REFUSED TO GIVE DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOOTING. THE TWO SUSPECTS ARE BEING SOUGHT.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING – JKB 11/25/11

A SEBASTOPOL POLICE OFFICER RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL, SHOT AND KILLED AN ARMED MAN AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX LATE YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST FATAL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN SONOMA COUNTY THIS YEAR. ACCORDING TO POLICE, A FEMALE CALLER REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ALONE IN HER APARTMENT AND THAT HER EX-BOYFRIEND WAS POUNDING ON THE BACK DOOR AT AROUND 11:30 AM. THE FIRST OFFICER ARRIVED WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF BEING DISPATCHED AND ENCOUNTERED THE ARMED SUSPECT. THE OFFICER FIRED A NUMBER OF SHOTS WHEN THE SUSPECT REFUSED ORDERS TO PUT DOWN THE GUN. THE SUSPECT, WHOS NAME IS NOT BEING RELEASED PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS, DIED AT THE SCENE. THE OFFICER WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF AN INVESTIGATION. HIS NAME IS ALSO BEING WITHHELD.

HOUSE FIRE JKB 11/25/11

A CLEARLAKE HOME WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY A FIRE WEDNESDAY EVENING.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED ON COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE SHORTLY AFTER 8 PM. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS KEPT THE HOME FROM BEING A TOTAL LOSS. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, THE FIRE RAN THROUGH THE ATTIC SPACE AND DESTROYED THE ROOF. THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WOMAN BREAKS DOG OUT OF SHELTER JKB 11/25/11

A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE WOMAN WHO WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK FOR REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH A POLICE OFFICERS DEMANDS DURING A TRAFFIC STOP AND HAD HER DOG SEIZED IN THE PROCESS, SUCCESSFULLY BROKE HER DOG OUT OF THE MENDOCINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER ON MONDAY.

40 YEAR OLD JESSICA ARMSTRONG AND AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE, DISTRACTED ANIMAL CONTROL EMPLOYEES AND FLED WITH THE DOG AT AROUND 10:15 AM. THE DOG WAS BEING QUARANTINED AFTER BITING A FORT BRAGG POLICE OFFICER DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WHILE ARMSTRONG WAS BEING PLACED UNDER ARREST FOR REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH AN OFFICERS REQUEST. DURING THE STOP FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, ARMSTRONG REFUSED TO SHOW IDENTIFICATION OR VEHICLE REGISTRATION SAYING SHE WAS A SOVEREIGN CITIZEN TRAVELING IN HER PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THAT POLICE HAD NO AUTHORITY OVER HER. SHE WAS LATER RELEASED ON BAIL. WHEN CONTACTED AFTER DOG-NAPPING HER PET, SHE TOLD AUTHORITIES THE DOG WAS BEING QUARANTINED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION SOMEWHERE IN LAKE COUNTY. THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE.

ONE INJURED, TWO SOUGHT IN GAS STATION EXPLOSION JKB 11/25/11

ONE MAN WAS INJURED AND POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR TWO OTHERS SUSPECTED OF SPARKING A FIRE THAT DESTROYED PART OF A GAS STATION IN SANTA ROSA DURING A FUEL HEIST WEDNESDAY.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS A VAN WITH THREE MEN PUMPING GASOLINE INTO CONTAINERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE JUST BEFORE 4 AM AT THE UNION 76 STATION AT LAWSONS CORNER ON HIGHWAY 12. A SPARK, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY SOMEONE LIGHTING A CIGARETTE OR STATIC ELECTRICITY SPARKED THE EXPLOSION THAT DESTROYED THE VAN, A FUEL ISLAND, PUMP AND PART OF THE OVERHEAD CANOPY AT THE STATION. ONE MAN SUFFERING FROM SUPERFICIAL FLASH BURNS WAS FOUND WALKING ALONG HIGHWAY 12. HE WAS TAKEN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR THE OTHER TWO SUSPECTS. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LEGITIMATE PURCHASE TRANSACTION FOR GAS AT 24 SELF-SERVE GAS STATION.

LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST RATTLE SNAKE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT JKB 11/25/11

A NEWLY FORMED ADVOCACY GROUP CALLED FRIENDS OF RATTLESNAKE ISLAND HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST LAKE COUNTY TO STOP THE RECENTLY APPROVED DEVELOPMENT OF A HOUSE, CARETAKERS CABIN AND STANDALONE BATHROOM ON THE ISLAND.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED 3-2 IN OCTOBER TO GRANT BAY AREA BUSINESSMAN JOHN NADY APPROVAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND HE OWNS. MEMBERS OF THE ELEM INDIAN COLONY ARE AGAINST THE PROJECT, SAYING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE LATE 1800S ILLEGALLY SEIZED THE ISLAND, WHICH THEY CONSIDER TO BE ANCIENT AND SACRED LAND. THE GROUP IS PETITIONING THE COURT TO OVERTURN THE SUPERVISORS DECISION.

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL MENDOCINO COUNTY UNTIL 3 PM TODAY.

SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR ARE EXPECTED. EXPOSED RIDGES AND COASTAL HEADLANDS MAY SEE GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES AN HOUR. THE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF BEGINNING MID AFTERNOON.

COUPLE ATTACKED AT HOME JKB 11/23/11

A FORT BRAGG COUPLE WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHEN THEY WERE ATTACKED BY 5 INTRUDERS IN THEIR HOME EARLIER THIS MONTH.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY, KELLY MCGOVERN AND HER BOYFRIEND, ROBIN LOVELESS WERE WATCHING TV IN BED ON NOVEMBER 12TH, WHEN LOVELESS WENT TO INVESTIGATE NOISES OUTSIDE AT AROUND 1:30 AM. HE WAS CONFRONTED BY THE SUSPECTS AND FORCED BACK INSIDE HIS HOME AND THE COUPLE WERE BEATEN. BOTH VICTIMS STATED THEY DID KNOW THE SUSPECTS, BUT WERE LATER ABLE TO IDENTIFY THEM AS ALLEN LORETZ, KELLY LORETZ, JUSTIN HALEY, ALEX PENUELA AND JUSTINE BLACK. ALL OF THE SUSPECTS LIVE OUTSIDE MENDOCINO COUNTY AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING SOUGHT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CRIME IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT.

MAN FATALLY STABS FATHER JKB 11/23/11

A SANTA ROSA MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND ACCUSED OF STABBING HIS 63 YEAR OLD FATHER MORE THAN 50 TIMES WITH AT LEAST FOUR KITCHEN KNIVES EARLY MONDAY MORNING.

MARK HERCZOG DIED IN HIS HOME. 21 YEAR OLD HOUSTON HERCZOG WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE WITHOUT INCIDENT AFTER HIS 17 YEAR OLD SISTER CALLED 911 AT 1:26 AM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE FAMILY WERE BECOMING INCREASING CONCERNED ABOUT THE YOUNGER HERCZOGS MENTAL HEALTH, SAYING HE HAD BEEN HAVING VIOLENT OUTBURSTS AND SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS CONTINUING.

MOTORISTS STOP TO HELP CRASH VICTIM JKB 11/23/11

MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE STOPPED TO HELP AN INJURED MOTORIST WHO CRASHED HER CAR ON HIGHWAY 29 LATE YESTERDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 70 YEAR OLD ROSETTA FORREST OF FINELY WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND A HALF MILE SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 175 IN KELSEYVILLE, WHEN SHE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH TWO TREES AT AROUND 11:45 AM. PASSERBYS HELPED FREE HER FROM THE WRECKAGE AND EXTINGUISHED A FIRE THAT WAS SPARKED IN THE DRY GRASS. FORREST WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MAJOR INJURIES.

MED POT DISPENSARY BROKEN INTO JKB 11/23/11

FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY IN CLEARLAKE WAS BROKEN INTO DURING AN OVERNIGHT BURGLARY.

THE BREAK IN AT THE COMPASSION CENTER ON OLYMPIC DRIVE WAS DISCOVERED TUESDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO POLICE THE THIEF OR THIEVES GAINED ENTRY BY SHATTERING A SLIDING GLASS DOOR AND TOOK SOME PERSONAL PROPERTY, BUT WERE UNABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE MARIJUANA THAT WAS SECURED INSIDE THE BUILDING.

BICYCLIST DEATH INVESTIGATION JKB 11/23/11

THE CHP IS STILL WRAPPING UP ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF A WELL KNOWN MENDOCINO COAST BICYCLIST, WHO WAS KILLED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A PICK UP TRUCK WHILE RIDING BETWEEN MENDOCINO AND FORT BRAGG NOVEMBER 13TH.

82 YEAR OLD DAVID RUSSELL DIED AFTER BEING HIT BY 18 YEAR OLD STERLING BRADBURY. THE INVESTIGATION IS WAITING FOR TOXICOLOGY REPORTS, BUT ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, IT DID NOT APPEAR THAT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WERE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CASE WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE WHEN THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE, AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE IF BRADBURY WILL BE PROSECUTED.

OCCUPY PROTESTS IN SONOMA COUNTY JKB 11/23/11

THE EVICTION OF OCCUPY SANTA ROSA PROTESTERS WENT FAIRLY SMOOTHLY EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING, WITHOUT VIOLENCE OR PEPPER SPRAY.

AFTER A WEEK OF WARNINGS, POLICE ORDERED DOZENS OF SLEEPING OCCUPY PROTESTERS TO VACATE FROM THE LAWN OF CITY HALL AT 3:30 AM YESTERDAY. 25 TENTS WERE REMOVED. 22 THAT HAD CAMPING PERMITS WERE ALLOWED TO REMAIN.

MEANWHILE OCCUPY SEBASTOPOL PROTESTERS HAVE ENDED THEIR ENCAMPMENT IN THE TOWN PLAZA, BUT WILL BE ALLOWED TO KEEP A TENT FOR STORAGE AND CONTINUE ROUND THE CLOCK DEMONSTRATIONS ON THE SIDEWALK. SEBASTOPOL CITY OFFICIALS PRAISED THE OCCUPY PARTICIPANTS WHO TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO KEEP THE PUBLIC RESTROOM AND TOWN PLAZA CLEAN.

CHP MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND JKB 11/23/11

THANKSGIVING IS TOMORROW OF COURSE, AND FOR MANY, THAT MEANS THE BEGINNING OF A FOUR DAY WEEKEND FOR ARDENT SHOPPERS AND THE BEGINNING OF A MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND FOR THE CHP.

EVERY AVAILABLE OFFICER WILL BE OUT ON THE ROAD BEGINNING AT 6:01 PM WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUING UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY LOOKING FOR THE UNSAFE, UNBELTED, AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVER. FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE STATION, WE HOPE YOU AND YOURS HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

BROADBAND ALLIANCE SAYS FED FIGURES ARE WRONG JKB 11/23/11

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY SAYS THE STATE AND FEDERAL STATISTICS SHOWING THAT 84% OF THE RESIDENTS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS ARE WRONG.

ACCORDING TO THE ALLIANCE, THEIR ESTIMATES SHOW ONLY ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS, AND MOST OF THAT IS LESS THAN THE MINIMUM CALLED FOR BY THE NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN. THE ALLIANCE ENCOURAGES ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS TO TAKE THE BROADBAND ACCESS SURVEY TO CORRECT THE CURRENT MAPS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING TO IMPROVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS TO ALL RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY, BEFORE LAND LINES ARE PHASED OUT OVER THE NEXT DECADE. THE SURVEY ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE AND CAN BE FOUND AT MENDOCINOBRADBAND.ORG.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY THAT WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM WEDNESDAY.

SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH GUSTS 40 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED. EXPOSED RIDGES AND COASTAL HEADLANDS COULD SEE GUSTS EXCEEDING 55 MILES PER HOUR. RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO SECURE LOOSE ITEMS. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.

MAN ENTERS PLEA IN CHILD SHOOTING JKB 11/22/11

ONE OF THREE MEN CHARGED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A 4 YEAR OLD BOY IN CLEARLAKE IN JUNE PLEADED NO CONTEST TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIME.

29 YEAR OLD KEVIN STONE INSISTED HE HAD KNOWN NOTHING ABOUT PLANS FOR A SHOOTING AT THE HOME OF 4 YEAR OLD SKYLAR RAPPS PARENTS, AND THAT HE HAD ONLY GIVEN 23 YEAR OLD PAUL BRADEN AND 21 YEAR OLD ORLANDO LOPEZ A RIDE THERE, DESPITE BEING ARMED WITH A WEAPON. BRADEN AND LOPEZ WILL STAND TRIAL TOGETHER BUT HAVE SEPARATE JURIES. THEIR TRIAL BEGINS ON JANUARY 11TH. STONE WILL BE SENTENCED AT A LATER DATE.

CHP OFFICER INJURED IN CRASH JKB 11/22/11

A MARIN COUNTY CHP OFFICER WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES AFTER FLIPPING HIS CAR ON HIGHWAY 101 MONDAY EVENING.

OFFICER DAVID HOTEA WAS ABLE ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE JUST AS IT CAUGHT FIRE AND AMMUNITION INSIDE BEGAN TO DISCHARGE. OFFICER HOTEA WAS DRIVING AT 70 TO 75 MILES AND HOUR ON HIS WAY TO A DRUNKEN DRIVER CALL WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS PATROL CAR, SLID ONTO THE MEDIAN STRIP AND OVERTURNED, COLLIDING WITH A GUARDRAIL AT 8:25 PM. HE WAS TAKEN TO MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL. THE ACCIDENT CLOSED THE ROADWAY FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR BECAUSE OF THE EXPLODING AMMUNITION.

FATAL MOTOR HOME FIRE JKB 11/22/11

A CLEARLAKE FAMILYS FIRST OUTING IN A NEWLY PURCHASED USED MOTOR HOME TURNED TO TRAGEDY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AT THE SOUNDS OF THE SEA RV PARK ON PATRICKS POINT DRIVE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

55 YEAR OLD JAMES GERACE AND 14 YEAR OLD DANIEL CRISTER DIED IN THE BLAZE. THE BOYS MOTHER, A 43 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED AND A 4 YEAR OLD BOY WERE JUST BARELY ABLE TO ESCAPE. THE MOTHER AND CHILD WERE FLOWN TO SHRINERS HOSPITAL IN OAKLAND FOR TREATMENT. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE CHILD SUFFERED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON ABOUT 40% OF HIS LOWER BODY. WHILE THE BLAZE IS BELIEVED TO BE ACCIDENTAL, THE CAUSE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SENTENCE IN FEDERAL POT BUST JKB 11/22/11

A MAN WITH HOMES IN BOTH REDWOOD VALLEY AND UPPER LAKE, AND NUMEROUS PROPERTIES IN MENDOCINO, LAKE AND HUMBOLDT COUNTIES, WAS SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE MARIJUANA AND THE FILING OF A FALSE TAX RETURN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, 45 YEAR OLD SCOTT FEIL AND HIS WIFE DIANA WERE PART OF A MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION OPERATION WITH BASES OF OPERATION IN LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO AND LAKE COUNTY. THE FEILS WERE ALSO ORDERED TO FORFEIT FIVE HOMES, TWO HOTELS, AND A RESTAURANT AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SEIZED ASSISTS. DIANA FEIL IS SET TO BE SENTENCED DECEMBER 8TH.

CALTRANS RELEASED DOCUMENTS ON FALSIFIED RECORDS JKB 11/22/11

· CALTRANS RELEASED HUNDREDS OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS YESTERDAY RELATED TO AN EMPLOYEE THAT WAS CAUGHT FALSIFYING DATA DURING THREE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN 2008.

BOTH CALTRANS AND THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION HAVE CONFIRMED THE EMPLOYEES FALSIFICATION WAS LIMITED TO THE LA SIERRA AVENUE BRIDGE IN RIVERSIDE, A RETAINING WALL AT BRADDOCK DRIVE ON I-405 IN LOS ANGELES AND AN OVERHEAD SIGN FOUNDATION ON I-580 IN OAKLAND. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN DONE AT EACH LOCATION TO ENSURE STRUCTURAL SAFETY. THE RECORDS SHOW THAT EVEN THOUGH THE SAME EMPLOYEE WORKED ON THE BAY BRIDGE, NONE OF HIS WORK ON THE BRIDGE WAS FALSIFIED AND THE BRIDGE IS STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN FIRED AND COULD FACE FUTURE PROSECUTION.

HOME INVASION ROBBERY JKB 11/22/11

· ANOTHER MARIJUANA HOME INVASION ROBBERY OCCURRED LAST NIGHT, THIS TIME IN HOPLAND.

ACCORDING TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, TWO WOMEN AND A FEMALE JUVENILE WERE INSIDE THE HOME ON MAC MILLIAN DRIVE WHEN TWO MASKED MALE SUSPECTS FORCED THEIR WAY INSIDE AND SPRAYED ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE FACE WITH PEPPER SPRAY OR MACE AT AROUND 8:30 PM. THE TWO INTRUDERS THEN TOOK APPROXIMATELY $1500 IN CASH AND 10 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA AND FLED. A SEARCH OF THE AREA YIELDED NO SUSPECTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

CEMETERY VANDALISM JKB 11/22/11

· A HUMBOLDT COUNTY COUPLE HAVE PLEADED GUILTY TO VANDALIZING THREE CEMETERIES IN THE FORTUNA AREA THE NIGHT BEFORE HALLOWEEN.

JAMES MCMINN AND MARGERET LOPES, BOTH 22, CAUSED AN ESTIMATE $30,000 IN DAMAGE WHEN THEY KNOCKED OVER MONUMENTS AND HEADSTONES, AND SCATTERED DEER PARTS AT THE THREE LOCATIONS. MCMINN ALSO PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE COUNTY OF MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS FOR THREATENING TO KILL A WITNESS THAT CONFRONTED THEM. UNDER THE TERMS OF A PLEA BARGAIN AGREEMENT, MCMINN FACES A YEAR AND 8 MONTHS IN PRISON, WHILE LOPES COULD RECEIVE UP TO A YEAR. BOTH WILL ALSO HAVE TO PAY RESTITUTION.

A FORMER OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AT KELSEYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL DIED IN A PLANE CRASH IN ARKANSAS ON FRIDAY.

36 YEAR OLD MIRANDA SERNA PLAYED BASKETBALL DURING HER SOPHOMORE YEAR AND HELPED LEAD THE TEAM TO THE NORTH COAST SECTION DIVISION IV SEMIFINALS IN 1991. SHE WENT ONTO PLAY AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND EVENTUALLY BECAME HEAD COACH KURT BUDKES ASSISTANT. SERNA, BUDKE, 82 YEAR OLD PILOT AND FORMER OKALAHOMA STATE SENATOR OLIN BRANSTETTER AND HIS WIFE PAULA DIED WHEN THE PLANE CRASHED INTO THE WINONA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA NEAR PERRYVILLE ARKANSAS WHILE ON A RECRUITING TRIP.

SUSPICIOUS SHOOTING IN WILLITS JKB 11/21/11

MENDOCINO COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING A SUSPICIOUS SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED IN THE BROOKTRIALS AREA OF WILLITS EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE HOME OF THE 45 YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM AT AROUND 3 AM. THE VICTIM HAD SHOTGUN INJURIES TO HIS LEGS THAT HE CLAIMED WERE ACCIDENTAL, BUT DID NOT GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. POLICE RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANOTHER PARTY AT AROUND 7 AM STATING THAT THE SHOOTING AS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE INCIDENT IS NOW BEING INVESTIGATED AS A CRIMINAL ACT. THE VICTIM WAS REPORTED TO BE IN STABLE CONDITION.

FATAL ACCIDENT JKB 11/21/11

A LAKE COUNTY MAN WAS KILLED WHEN HIS PICK UP TRUCK RAN OFF PETRIFIED FOREST ROAD NEAR CALISTOGA LAST WEEK.

FARM WORKERS FOUND THE WRECKAGE LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE DRIVER, MICHAEL TORSO WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND WAS EJECTED AS HIS TRUCK OVERTURNED DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT AND LANDED ON TOP OF HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD AND IT IS UNCLEAR HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED.

SHOOTING VICTIM IDD, SEARCH FOR 2ND SUSPECT CONTINUES JKB 11/21/11

THE SEARCH IS CONTINUING FOR A SECOND SUSPECT INVOLVED IN A MARIJUANA RELATED HOME INVASION ROBBERY IN COVELO THAT LEFT HIS ACCOMPLICE DEAD EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.

22 YEAR OLD PABLO NUNEZ OF MEXICO DIED OF A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE CHEST AFTER BEING SHOT BY THE HOME OWNER, 22 YEAR OLD JOSEPH LONG. THE SECOND SUSPECT FLED IN A WHITE CHEVY COLBOLT TYPE SEDAN AND HAS NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE PAIR WERE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL SOME OF THE 100 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA FOUND IN AN AROUND THE HOME. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. CALLERS MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

MARIJUANA BUST JKB 11/21/11

LAKE COUNTY AUTHORITIES SEIZED CLOSE TO 350 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA, MORE THAN 6 POUNDS OF HASHISH, 32 MATURE MARIJUANA PLANTS, AND ARRESTED 3 PEOPLE WHILE SERVING A SEARCH WARRANT ON A HOME AND STORAGE UNIT ON THURSDAY.

THE HOME WAS LOCATED IN LAKEPORT, WHILE THE STORAGE UNIT WAS AT A FACILITY IN NICE. 59 YEAR OLD MICHAEL KELLY OF LAKEPORT, 39 YEAR OLD FELIX MEDINA OF COSTA MESA, AND 24 YEAR OLD NEMER SALAS-MARTINEZ OF WHITTIER WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION.

LOST HIKER FOUND JKB 11/21/11

A 22 YEAR OLD UPPER LAKE MAN WHO GOT LOST WHILE HIKING IN THE ELK MOUNTAIN CANYON AREA WAS RESCUED BY HELICOPTER AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS.

SEARCH AND RESCUE CREWS SEARCHED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND LOCATED THE MAN JUST BEFORE 7 AM. THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HELICOPTER HENRY 1 WAS CALLED IN TO FLY THE WAYWARD HIKER OUT TO WAITING MEDICAL PERSONNEL. HIS NAME AND CONDITION HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

SPEAR FISHERMEN INJURED JKB 11/14/11

A SPEAR FISHERMAN WAS IMPALED BY HIS OWN SPEAR WHILE FISHING ON THE SONOMA COUNTY COAST ON SATURDAY AFTER A LARGE WAVE SLAMMED HIM INTO A GROUP OF ROCKS.

45 YEAR OLD JAVIER PUENTES OF SAN FRANCISCO SUFFERED A DEEP PUNCTURE WOUND TO HIS LEG DURING THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT AROUND 2:20 PM. EMERGENCY CREWS CLIMBED DOWN A 75 FOOT CLIFF TO REACH HIM AND A HELICOPTER WAS USED RETRIEVE HIM FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF. HE WAS TAKEN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS TREATED AND LATER RELEASED ON SUNDAY.

TASK FORCE COMMANDER NISHIYAMA TO RETIRE JKB 11/14/11

MENDOCINO COUNTY MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE COMMANDER BOB NISHIYAMA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE PLANS TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

NISHIYAMA HAS SPENT 38 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE LAST 13 OF THOSE SERVING AS THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE COMMANDER.

FORMER SHERIFF FILES TORT AGAINST LAKE COUNTY JKB 11/14/11

A FORMER LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY WHO CLAIMS HE WAS UNFAIRLY TERMINATED THREE YEARS AGO HAS FILED A TORT CLAIM AGAINST THE COUNTY SEEKING $3.7 MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

JAMES BELAND CLAIMS HE WAS FIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2008 IN RETALIATION FOR STATEMENTS HE MADE IN THE CASE OF A FATAL BOATING COLLISION BETWEEN OFF DUTY LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY CHIEF RUSSELL PURDOCK AND BISMARCK DINIUS IN APRIL OF 2006. AT THE TIME BELAND STATED THAT HE WAS ORDERED NOT TO ADMINISTER A BREATHALYZER TEST TO PURDOCK, A CLAIM THAT THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT LATER DENIED. DINIUS WAS PROSECUTED BUT ACQUITTED OF THE CHARGES IN THE CRASH THAT KILLED 51 YEAR OLD LYNN THORNTON OF WILLOWS, AND PRUDOCK WAS NEVER CHARGED. A HEARING OFFICER THAT WAS AGREED UPON BY BOTH BELAND AND THE COUNTY SUGGESTED THAT BELAND BE REINSTATED TO HIS JOB FOR BEING TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED NOT TO. THE COUNTY NOW HAS 45 DAYS TO TAKE ACTION ON THE CLAIM. IF REJECTED, BELAND WILL THEN HAVE 6 MONTHS TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COUNTY.

THE FIRST WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON IS HERE AND RESIDENTS IN LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES COULD SEE AS MUCH AS 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET TODAY.

SOME ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW DOWN TO THE 2500 LEVEL IS POSSIBLE. THE SNOW SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF BY THE LATE AFTERNOON. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO BE PREPARED FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING ROAD CONDITIONS AND EXTREME WINTER WEATHER DRIVING IF HEADED INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

MARIJUANA RELATED SHOOTING JKB 11/18/11

ONE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING IN COVELO WHILE APPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO STEAL MARIJUANA.

DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE HOME ON MENDOCINO PASS ROAD AT 5:40 AM BY 22 YEAR OLD JOEY LONG. HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN ASLEEP WITH HIS WIFE AND YOUNG CHILD WHEN HE HEARD HIS SLIDING GLASS DOOR SHATTER. LONG ARMED HIMSELF WITH A .357 CALIBER HANDGUN AND CONFRONTED TWO INTRUDERS. ACCORDING TO LONG, ONE OF THE MEN WAS HOLDING AN OBJECT THAT APPEARED TO BE A WEAPON AND HE EMPTIED THE .357 IN THE DIRECTION OF THE TWO MEN. HE THEN RETRIEVED A 2ND HAND GUN FROM A CLOSET AND FIRED TWO MORE SHOTS. ONE OF THE INTRUDERS DIED AT THE SCENE AFTER SUFFERING A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE CHEST. THE OTHER FLED IN A WHITE CHEVY COBLAT TYPE SEDAN. ACCORDING TO DEPUTIES APPROXIMATELY 100 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA WAS FOUND INSIDE AND AROUND THE HOME. THE NAME OF THE SHOOTING VICTIM HAS NOT YET BEEN CONFIRMED. THE SEARCH FOR THE 2ND SUSPECT IS CONTINUING. THE CASE IS BEING FORWARDED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE.

ALCOHOL NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TEENS DEATH JKB 11/18/11

IN A SURPRISE REVELATION, THE SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT ALCOHOL MAY NOT BE THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO DIED AFTER DRINKING WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS VODKA DURING A SLEEPOVER AT HER HOME IN JULY.

AUTHORITIES ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE GIRLS MAY HAVE DRUNK SOMETHING ELSE AFTER THE FIRST SET OF TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED A LOW BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL IN THE BODY OF TAKEIMI RAO. RAOS AUTOPSY ALSO SHOW NO SIGNS THE GIRL ASPIRATED, ASPHYXIATED OR SUFFERED FROM ANOTHER MEDICAL EMERGENCY. A THIRD, MORE DETAILED SET OF TOXICOLOGY TESTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO COMPLETE.

SERIAL DRUNK DRIVER SENTENCED JKB 11/18/11

A SERIAL DRUNK DRIVER WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN STATE PRISON YESTERDAY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW, WILL SERVE ONLY ABOUT HALF THAT TIME IN THE MENDOCINO COUNTY JAIL.

58 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS SANTOS HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF FOUR DUIS IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. DUE TO THE STATES REALIGNMENT LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO EASE OVERCROWDING IN THE STATE PRISONS, SANTOS HAS ALREADY EARNED CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED AGAINST HIS SENTENCE AND WILL NOT HAVE TO BE ON PAROLE OR PROBATION WHEN HE IS RELEASED.

DEATH ROW INMATE COMMITS SUICIDE JKB 11/18/11

AN INMATE ON CALIFORNIAS DEATH ROW WAS FOUND DEAD, THE VICTIM OF A SUICIDE YESTERDAY.

33 YEAR OLD BRANDON WILSON WAS FOUND HANGING IN HIS CELL THURSDAY MORNING SHORTLY BEFORE 7 AM. HE WAS CONVICTED OF KILLING 9 YEAR OLD MATTHEW CECCHI OF OROVILLE IN AN OCEANSIDE PARK RESTROOM IN 1998 IN A CASE MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES. WILSON IS THE 19TH INMATE TO COMMIT SUICIDE WHILE ON DEATH ROW SINCE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WAS REINSTATED IN CALIFORNIA IN 1978. 54 CONDEMNED INMATES HAVE DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSES DURING THAT TIME, SIX DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED FROM OTHER CAUSES INCLUDING MURDER, WHILE ONLY 13 HAVE ACTUALLY SERVED THEIR SENTENCE AND BEEN PUT TO DEATH.

E-QUAKE AT THE GEYSERS JKB 11/18/11

THE GEYSERS WERE RATTLED BY A 3.2 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE EARLY THIS MORNING, THE 21ST QUAKE 3.0 OR LARGER TO STRIKE THE AREA SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 2:59 AM AND WAS CENTERED 3 MILES NORTH WEST OF THE STEAM FIELDS AND 7 MILES WEST OF COBB.

PLANNED POWER OUTAGE JKB 11/18/11

PG&E WILL BE STAGING A PLANNED POWER OUTAGE IN WILLITS TOMORROW NIGHT.

DURING THE REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADING OF EQUIPMENT TO THE WILLITS SUBSTATION, THE POWER WILL BE OUT FROM 11 PM SATURDAY NIGHT UNTIL AROUND 8 AM SUNDAY MORNING. AN ESTIMATED 6,000 WILLITS AREA PG&E CUSTOMER WILL BE AFFECTED. THIS WEEKENDS POWER OUTAGE IS THE SECOND STAGE OF THE SAME PROJECT THAT WAS THE REASON FOR A PLANNED OUTAGE THAT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 17TH.

UKIAH COUNCIL APPROVES COST INCREASE FOR ANTON STADIUM JKB 11/18/11

ON A VOTE OF FOUR TO ONE, THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MORE THAN $120,000 IN CHANGES TO THE ANTON STADIUM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THE COST INCREASES ARE OVER AN ABOVE THE ORIGINAL BID OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS AND AN INITIAL COST INCREASE OF $40,000 THAT WAS REQUESTED JUST A MONTH AFTER THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED LAST APRIL. A LIST OF 10 CHANGES CLASSIFIED AS PLAN CLARIFICATIONS, DESIGN MODIFICATIONS, AND DESIGN AND ENGINEERING WORK FOR THE METAL BUILDING MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASED COSTS. COUNCIL MEMBER DOUG CRANE WAS THE ONLY DISSENTING VOTE.